US Reveals Final Hotel Booking Opportunity for Comic-Con 2025 — April 24 Sale Includes Downtown San Diego and Beyond

Published on April 12, 2025

The US-based official Comic-Con housing partner has confirmed that the final opportunity to book hotels for San Diego Comic-Con 2025 will go live on April 24, offering attendees access to the last wave of available rooms. This final release—known as the General Hotel Sale—features live inventory across both downtown San Diego and surrounding areas, providing one last organized booking chance before rooms vanish entirely. With thousands of fans still searching for accommodations, this announcement marks a crucial moment in the lead-up to the convention, as hotel availability tightens and demand peaks.

The 2025 edition of San Diego Comic-Con, one of the most iconic pop culture conventions in the world, is fast approaching. While the excitement continues to build, many attendees are still in the middle of one of the most critical elements of their planning: securing a hotel.

This final phase is known as the General Housing Sale — also previously and famously dubbed “Hotelpocalypse.” It is the last large-scale opportunity to book one of the coveted hotel rooms in and around downtown San Diego for the Comic-Con weekend. Mark your calendars now: this sale officially goes live on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

What Is the General Housing Sale for Comic-Con 2025?

The General Housing Sale is the third and final major event for Comic-Con hotel room distribution. Unlike earlier rounds, this phase works on a first-come, first-served basis and features live inventory, which means you can see real-time availability of rooms.

All hotel types will be included, ranging from premium downtown properties within walking distance of the San Diego Convention Center, to more affordable options in neighboring areas like Mission Valley, Hotel Circle, and other parts of the county accessible by public transit or car.

What Makes This Hotel Sale Different?

The earlier phases of the Comic-Con hotel process involve randomized systems or lottery-style room placements. The General Housing Sale, however, is open to the public and shows all available inventory in real-time, similar to standard hotel booking websites.

That means there are no waitlists, no reservations pending confirmation, and no lotteries—just live updates and instant bookings. Once a hotel room is selected and booked, it’s yours.

Why Timing Is Critical: Hotels Will Sell Out Fast

As history shows, hotel rooms—especially those in the Gaslamp Quarter and other parts of downtown San Diego—go extremely fast once the sale opens. Even with high prices and strict cancellation policies, the proximity to the San Diego Convention Center makes these hotels the top choice for attendees.

Because it’s live inventory, rooms are booked in real time, and if you hesitate even for a few minutes, your desired location might be snapped up by another user. It’s best to have your preferred hotels, backup choices, and payment information ready before the sale starts.

What Hotels Are Usually Included?

The General Housing Sale typically includes a wide range of hotel options such as:

• Downtown San Diego Hotels (within walking distance):
  • Gaslamp Quarter
  • Marina District
  • East Village
• Nearby Neighborhoods (short trolley or rideshare distance):
  • Mission Valley
  • Old Town
  • Hotel Circle
• Airport and Beyond:
  • San Diego Airport hotels
  • La Jolla
  • Coronado
  • Chula Vista

These hotels are often offered with Comic-Con specific pricing, and many provide shuttle service to and from the convention center.

Is It Worth Booking a Hotel Outside Downtown?

Yes, especially if you’re working within a budget. While staying downtown offers the convenience of walking to the convention center and nearby events, hotels further out may offer:

• Lower nightly rates
• More availability
• Free breakfast or parking
• Quieter environments for rest

Areas like Mission Valley, Hotel Circle, and the San Diego Airport often have quick trolley access to the convention center, making them popular alternatives for fans who want to avoid the downtown chaos.

Will More Rooms Be Added Later?

Yes — and that’s one of the most important things to remember. Even if your preferred hotel is unavailable on April 24, don’t panic.

Inventory is often updated continuously in the weeks leading up to Comic-Con. Attendees change plans, cancel bookings, or upgrade rooms, and hotels release new room blocks as the event approaches.

Frequent checks in the hotel portal, especially closer to July, can result in last-minute success stories.

Best Practices for Booking During the General Housing Sale

Here are some tried-and-true strategies to increase your chances of securing a room:

1. Create an account on the hotel booking portal in advance (if required).
2. Know your top hotel choices before the sale opens.
3. Keep an open mind. If downtown is full, look for hotels along the trolley lines or shuttle routes.
4. Act fast. Live inventory means rooms can disappear in seconds.
5. Bookmark the official booking site and keep your device ready.
6. Be prepared to book immediately. Have your payment info saved or written down.
7. Set multiple reminders for the April 24 release date and time.

Using Tools to Track Hotel Inventory

Because room inventory is live and always changing, using tools that provide real-time updates can give you an edge. Many Comic-Con attendees rely on dedicated platforms or social feeds that automatically share when a new hotel opens up or when a previously sold-out property becomes available again.

Following these tools can help you catch openings you might miss otherwise, even weeks after the initial sale.

Cancellation Policies: What You Need to Know

Before booking any room, read the cancellation policies carefully. Comic-Con hotel bookings often come with stricter conditions, including:

• Non-refundable deposits
• Early cancellation fees
• Limited modification windows

Make sure you’re confident in your plans before securing a room to avoid losing money on a reservation you can’t use.

Why Booking a Hotel Is Crucial for Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con attracts over 135,000 attendees annually, with thousands more flocking to the city for offsite events, parties, and activations that don’t even require a badge. That makes lodging one of the most competitive and stressful parts of planning for SDCC.

Having a hotel booked not only gives you peace of mind but also allows you to plan the rest of your trip—whether it’s buying plane tickets, coordinating cosplay transportation, or scheduling meetups.

The US housing partner for Comic-Con 2025 has officially confirmed that the final hotel sale will launch on April 24, giving attendees one last chance to book rooms in downtown San Diego and surrounding areas before availability runs out.

Be Ready, Stay Flexible

The General Hotel Sale is the last major opportunity to officially book a hotel room through Comic-Con’s housing system. While it can be competitive and frustrating, preparation and flexibility are key to success.

Whether you’re aiming for a four-star hotel a few blocks from the action or a budget-friendly spot just a trolley ride away, your perfect SDCC basecamp could be just a few clicks away.

So set your alarms for April 24, keep an open mind, and remember — there’s always a chance to snag the room you want, even if it doesn’t happen right away.